Approval rates
The approval rates presented here compare the judge's performance against the broader bench at the NHC Falls Church hearing office. By examining the 1,561 decisions on record since 2016, you can see a baseline for how this judge has historically evaluated disability claims. This data provides a statistical foundation for understanding the local hearing environment, though every case is unique. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Hamel. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Hamel's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
Since 2016, the approval rate for Gregory M. Hamel has shown a varied trend across 1,561 decisions. After starting at 44% in 2016, the rate increased to 52% in 2018 before stabilizing near 50% in 2020. The final year of data on record, 2021, saw a return to 44% over 133 decisions. This pattern shows that while the judge's approach has fluctuated, the volume of decisions provides a consistent look at his historical decision-making process.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hamel's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
About the NHC Falls Church hearing office
The NHC Falls Church hearing office serves you if you are in the District of Columbia region. As the judge's most recent office on record as of September 2021, it represents a hub for disability hearings in the area. With 33 judges on the office's bench, you should be prepared for a variety of judicial approaches to evidence and testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Falls Church
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 33 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Falls Church hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 29% to 85% on their since-2016 records. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Frequently asked questions
Gregory M. Hamel has an approval rate of 47% across 1,561 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the range of 29% to 85% established by the 33 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Falls Church hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Gregory M. Hamel has fluctuated over time, moving from 44% in 2016 to a high of 52% in 2018, before settling at 44% in 2021. These variations reflect the judge's historical record across 1,561 decisions. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to judges at the NHC Falls Church hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony regarding your inability to work. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your past work and limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are properly presented.
The 47% approval rate for Gregory M. Hamel is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you demonstrate your disability. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strength and prepare for the hearing.
